Jewish Family Navigator program helps families address disabilities

Disabilities Navigator Program Launches in Jewish Community

When a child or other family member is diagnosed with a disability, the question of
how and where to access support for that family member can be overwhelming. Institutions also
struggle with meeting the needs of their diverse constituents.

The newly instituted Jewish Family Navigator program, a resource for families coping with
disabilities, aims to address this need from a communal perspective. The program, a partnership
between AutismUp and the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester with funding support from the Max
and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, launches on February 7 at an 8 am program at the
Federation, 441 East Avenue.

This newly instituted service will link families in the Rochester Jewish community with needed
services, consolidating information and referral and providing individual family consultations. The
Jewish Family Navigator will also work with local Jewish institutions to support their efforts to be
inclusive.

"AutismUp's Navigator Program is a comprehensive, family-centered, approach to care
coordination,” explained Sarah Milko, Executive Director of AutismUp. “The Rochester Jewish
Community Navigator is one of only three across the country, and joins our existing Family
Navigators located at the URMC Levine Autism Clinic and at AutismUp. Our partnership with
the Jewish Federation will serve as the model for the expansion of the program across our
community, improving access and outcomes for individuals with autism, developmental
and intellectual disabilities and their families."

“For the Jewish Federation,” added Meredith Dragon, Federation CEO, “the creation of this position will bring our efforts to elevate the needs of those with differing abilities to the next level. Over
the last two years we have invested significant resources to enhance the ability of our local religious
schools and early childhood programs to include children with differing needs.”

The Jewish Family Navigator program also serves to enhance awareness and cooperation among
agencies serving people with disabilities in the Jewish and Greater Rochester communities.

Contact the Jewish Family Navigator service at navigator@jewishrochester.org. Learn more at
www.jewishrochester.org/navigator.